Skip to main content

William Sharp Art

1900-1961

William Sharp was born on June 13, 1900, in Lemberg, Austria, where he attended college and the Academy for Arts and Industry. He later studied in Kraków, Poland, Berlin and Munich. Sharp began his career as a designer of stained-glass windows and as a painter of murals. He served in the German army during World War I. After the war, he became a newspaper artist in Berlin and a well-known etcher. Sharp drew political cartoons that were bitterly critical of the growing Nazi movement. As the influence of National Socialism intensified, he began to contribute drawings, under a pseudonym, to publications that were hostile to Hitler. After Hitler assumed power, Sharp was confronted with these drawings and told that he would be sent to a concentration camp. However, in 1934, he escaped to the United States. His first newspaper assignment in America was making courtroom sketches for The New York Mirror at the trial of Bruno R. Hauptmann for the kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby. As a staff artist at Esquire, where he continued to produce political cartoons, Sharp also illustrated stories by Ernest Hemingway and Thomas Mann. He was a longtime contributor to The New York Times magazine and also worked for LIFE magazine, Collier's magazine, Coronet and The New York Post. Sharp also did book illustrations for several leading publishers, with Dickens’s, The Old Curiosity Shop for Heritage Press being his first assignment. He illustrated several books for limited editions, including The Diary of Samuel Pepys in 10 volumes. Sharp published several portfolios of etchings and lithographs about the legal and medical professions. Sharp's precisionist work is represented in many museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Queens Museum, the Library of Congress, the Carnegie Institute and the New York Public Library. William Sharp died in New York City on April 1, 1961.

to
3
2
1
Overall Width
to
Overall Height
to
2
4
1
2
4
2
4
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
2
7
10,340
2,808
2,500
1,409
3
2
5
Artist: William Sharp
"Colonial Sand and Stone Company, New York, " Industrial WPA Scene, Precisionist
"Colonial Sand and Stone Company, New York, " Industrial WPA Scene, Precisionist

"Colonial Sand and Stone Company, New York, " Industrial WPA Scene, Precisionist

By William Sharp

Located in New York, NY

William Sharp (1900 - 1961) Factory on the River Oil on canvas 20 1/2 x 28 1/2 inches Initialed lower left: WS Provenance: Estate of the artist Private Collection, New York Swann Auction Galleries, American Art, June 13, 2019, Lot 178 Private Collection, New York Colonial Sand and Stone Co., founded by Generoso Pope, was once the country’s largest sand and gravel business, providing the concrete for much of New York City’s skyline, including the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, Radio City Music Hall, airports and subways. William Sharp was born on June 13, 1900, in Lemberg, Austria, where he attended college and the Academy for Arts and Industry. He later studied in Kraków, Poland, and in Berlin and Munich, Germany. Sharp began his career as a designer of stained-glass windows and as a painter of murals. He served in the German army during World War I. After the war he became a newspaper artist in Berlin and a well-known etcher. Sharp drew political cartoons that were bitterly critical of the growing Nazi movement. As the influence of National Socialism intensified, he began to contribute drawings, under a pseudonym, to publications that were hostile to Hitler. After Hitler assumed power, Sharp was confronted with these drawings and told that he would be sent to a concentration camp. However, in 1934, he escaped to the United States. His first newspaper assignment in America was making courtroom sketches for The New York Mirror...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Realist William Sharp Art

Materials

Canvas, Paint, Oil

Corrida

Corrida

By William Sharp

Located in Middletown, NY

Lithograph in colors on cream wove paper, 15 1/2 x 20 1/2 inches (394 x 520 mm); sheet 18 x 23 1/4 inches (457 x 590 mm), full margins. Signed and titled in pencil, lower margin. Som...

Category

Mid-20th Century Modern William Sharp Art

Materials

Lithograph

Richard Reynolds, Society of Friends: 19th C. Engraved Portrait by Wm. Sharp
Richard Reynolds, Society of Friends: 19th C. Engraved Portrait by Wm. Sharp

Richard Reynolds, Society of Friends: 19th C. Engraved Portrait by Wm. Sharp

By William Sharp

Located in Alamo, CA

This is an early 19th century engraved portrait of the industrialist and philanthropist Richard Reynolds by William Sharp after William Hobday. It was published in London by Rudolph Ackerman in 1817. The print is entitled "Richard Reynolds of the Society of Friends, Late of Bristol". This three-quarter length portrait of Reynolds depicts him seated, directed to right, looking towards the viewer. He is holding an open book, wearing a plain suit. A curtain in the background is pulled to the left, revealing bookshelves. Some of the books are labelled 'Addison & Watts' 'Kempis & Fenelon' 'Milton & Cowley' etc. The inscription above the portrait reads: "When the eye saw him it blessed him". The lettering below the image reads: "Richard Reynolds of the Society of Friends, Late of Bristol; Whose Life and Fortune were devoted to the Glory of God by relieving the humble in Distress.', This plate is dedicated by Permission to his Royal Highness, the Prince Regent by his most devoted very humble servant William Hobday." This engraving is printed on thick paper. The sheet measures 16" high and 12" wide. It is adhered to an archival backing in the upper left corner. There is mild discoloration and toning in the margins, but it does not involve the image. Richard Reynolds (1735-1816) was a prominent member of the Society of Friends, also known as Quakers, in the 18th and 19th centuries. He was born into a wealthy family in Bristol, England, and inherited a successful copper smelting, iron manufacturing business from his father. Despite his privileged upbringing, Reynolds was known for his deep concern for the poor and his commitment to social justice. He used his wealth and influence to support a range of philanthropic causes, including the abolition of slavery, the improvement of working conditions for miners and factory workers, and the provision of education for the poor. Reynolds was also a prominent supporter of the Quaker...

Category

Early 19th Century William Sharp Art

Materials

Engraving

"Factory on the River" Modernist and Precisionist WPA Industrial New York Scene
"Factory on the River" Modernist and Precisionist WPA Industrial New York Scene

"Factory on the River" Modernist and Precisionist WPA Industrial New York Scene

By William Sharp

Located in New York, NY

William Sharp (1900 - 1961) Factory on the River Oil on canvas 17 1/2 x 23 1/4 inches Initialed lower right: WS Provenance: Estate of the artist Private Collection, New York Swann Auction Galleries, American Art, June 13, 2019, Lot 178 William Sharp was born on June 13, 1900, in Lemberg, Austria, where he attended college and the Academy for Arts and Industry. He later studied in Kraków, Poland, and in Berlin and Munich, Germany. Sharp began his career as a designer of stained-glass windows and as a painter of murals. He served in the German army during World War I. After the war he became a newspaper artist in Berlin and a well-known etcher. Sharp drew political cartoons that were bitterly critical of the growing Nazi movement. As the influence of National Socialism intensified, he began to contribute drawings, under a pseudonym, to publications that were hostile to Hitler. After Hitler assumed power, Sharp was confronted with these drawings and told that he would be sent to a concentration camp. However, in 1934, he escaped to the United States. His first newspaper assignment in America was making courtroom sketches for The New York Mirror...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Realist William Sharp Art

Materials

Canvas, Paint, Oil

MAXWELL STREET
MAXWELL STREET

MAXWELL STREET

By William Sharp

Located in Portland, ME

Sharp, William (American, 1900-1961). MAXWELL STREET. Etching and aquatint, not dated, but circa 1940. Edition of 25, titled and signed in pencil and numbered 9/25. 8 5/8 x 10 3/4 in...

Category

1940s American Realist William Sharp Art

Materials

Etching, Aquatint

Related Items
John Taylor Arms, Battle Wagon
John Taylor Arms, Battle Wagon

John Taylor Arms, Battle Wagon

By John Taylor Arms

Located in New York, NY

John Taylor Arms was known for making such finely drawn etchings that commercial tools were not good enough: He regularly used sewing needles with corks for handles. Made during Worl...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Realist William Sharp Art

Materials

Etching

Vermont Barns - Neutral Monochromatic Study in Grays
Vermont Barns - Neutral Monochromatic Study in Grays

Vermont Barns - Neutral Monochromatic Study in Grays

By John Koch

Located in Miami, FL

Understated town-scape in grays and muted blues. It's a painting that looks better as you get closer to it. Koch brings the same serene intimacy to an outdoor scene as his interiors....

Category

1950s American Realist William Sharp Art

Materials

Oil, Board

"Grande Irène Vignier" Signed Etching, State Proof, Young Girl, Duthuit 19
"Grande Irène Vignier" Signed Etching, State Proof, Young Girl, Duthuit 19

"Grande Irène Vignier" Signed Etching, State Proof, Young Girl, Duthuit 19

By Henri Matisse

Located in Yardley, PA

A superb example of the Matisse’s mastery of line, restraint, and psychological nuance. The sitter, a young girl rendered with the most economical of strokes, emerges from the page w...

Category

1910s Modern William Sharp Art

Materials

Etching

Original Freedom from Want 1943 vintage poster.   Thanksgiving
Original Freedom from Want 1943 vintage poster.   Thanksgiving

Original Freedom from Want 1943 vintage poster. Thanksgiving

By Norman Rockwell

Located in Spokane, WA

Original vintage poster: FREEDOM FROM WANT, Ours to fight for ... Original. Artist: Normal Rockwell. Archival linen backed in fine condition, ready to frame. Note: All US Go...

Category

1940s American Realist William Sharp Art

Materials

Offset

Ocean Whispers - abstract art underwater nude human figurative painting
Ocean Whispers - abstract art underwater nude human figurative painting

Ocean Whispers - abstract art underwater nude human figurative painting

Located in London, Chelsea

We offer complimentary worldwide shipping and cover all tariffs and import taxes for this artwork. This exceptional artwork is currently on display and available for sale at Signet C...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Expressionist William Sharp Art

Materials

Canvas, Oil

The Princess in her tower David Hockney Six Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm
The Princess in her tower David Hockney Six Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm

The Princess in her tower David Hockney Six Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm

By David Hockney

Located in New York, NY

One of David Hockney’s Six Fairy Tales from the Brothers Grimm illustrations, taken from the story of ‘The Little Sea Hare’. This tower was likely inspired by Hockney’s travels throu...

Category

1960s Modern William Sharp Art

Materials

Etching, Aquatint

Portrait of Albert Schweitzer.
Portrait of Albert Schweitzer.

Arthur William HeintzelmanPortrait of Albert Schweitzer., 1950

$750Sale Price|50% Off

H 11.75 in W 9.75 in D 0.5 in

Portrait of Albert Schweitzer.

By Arthur William Heintzelman

Located in Plano, TX

Portrait of Albert Schweitzer. Etching. 11 3/4 x 9 3/4 (sheet 16 1/4 x 14). Illustrated: Beall, American Prints in the Library of Congress, page 205....

Category

1950s American Modern William Sharp Art

Materials

Etching, Drypoint

HOMAGE TO DALI
HOMAGE TO DALI

Ferjo, Fernando de Jesus OliveiraHOMAGE TO DALI, 2005

$500Sale Price|50% Off

H 20 in W 26 in

HOMAGE TO DALI

By Ferjo, Fernando de Jesus Oliveira

Located in Aventura, FL

Giclee on canvas. Hand signed and numbered by the artist. AP edition. Canvas is not stretched. Artwork is in excellent condition. Certificate of authenticity included. All reas...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Surrealist William Sharp Art

Materials

Canvas, Giclée

Points of Departure: Mary's Turn, by Peter Milton
Points of Departure: Mary's Turn, by Peter Milton

Points of Departure: Mary's Turn, by Peter Milton

By Peter Milton

Located in Palm Springs, CA

Peter Milton’s Mary’s Turn reimagines a scene where Mary Cassatt and Edgar Degas engage in a game of billiards, reflecting their real-life friendship and rivalry. Cassatt leans forwa...

Category

1990s Contemporary William Sharp Art

Materials

Engraving, Etching

Previously Available Items
William Sharp Court Room Scene Lithograph, Signed & Framed , a Pair
William Sharp Court Room Scene Lithograph, Signed & Framed , a Pair

William Sharp Court Room Scene Lithograph, Signed & Framed , a Pair

By William Sharp

Located in Plainview, NY

A pair of William Alexander Sharp ( American, 1900 - 1961) lithographs , created circa 1940's , portraying a court scene. One lithograph showing lawyers " Side bench " in front of th...

Category

20th Century American Impressionist William Sharp Art

Materials

Lithograph

William Sharp, Lincoln Park Marabous (probably Chicago)
William Sharp, Lincoln Park Marabous (probably Chicago)

William Sharp, Lincoln Park Marabous (probably Chicago)

By William Sharp

Located in New York, NY

William Sharp, largely known as a court reporter, was based in New York City. Probably this scene of Lincoln Park Marabous is Chicago. There are several ...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern William Sharp Art

Materials

Etching

William Sharp art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic William Sharp art available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by William Sharp in etching, canvas, fabric and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the Old Masters style. Not every interior allows for large William Sharp art, so small editions measuring 6 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Jerome Myers, Saul Chase, and Stephen Parrish. William Sharp art prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $252 and tops out at $19,500, while the average work can sell for $450.

Artists Similar to William Sharp